Evaluating the impact tensile properties of unidirectional fibre-reinforced composites with thermoplastic epoxy resin

Impact tensile properties of unidirectional fiber-reinforced composites are evaluated using a tension-type split Hopkinson bar technique. In this study, thermoplastic epoxy resin and three kinds of reinforced fiber such as carbon, E-glass, and T-glass are employed as a matrix and reinforcement, respectively. The experimental results indicate that strain rate has no effect on tensile properties in case that the carbon fiber is employed as reinforcement. On the other hand, the tensile strength and strain of E-glass and T-glass fiber composites are obviously affected by the strain rate. Although both fibreglasses and thermoplastic epoxy resin are shown to be sensitive to the strain rate, the fibreglasses contributes more significantly to the strain rate effects of the maximum stress and strain.